Building construction form



July 16, 1935 v c. w. WADDELL 2,008,162

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FORM Filed Do. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 16,1935. c. w, WADDELL 2,008,162

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FORM Filed Dec. 12, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill.

' conveniently assembled to provide forms for l rality of adjustmentopenings filled withasofter Patented July 16, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FORM Clarence W. Waddell, Dallas, Tex.Application December 12, 1932, Serial No. 646,925

sheet which is preferablymade of metal, but which may be made of anysuitable material. Each sheet is provided with a vertical flange H, atone end thereof and the sheets may be of any desired size. A pluralityof these sheets are used inthe construction of forms for moldingconcrete columns, beams, walls and the like.

Each sheet is provided with a plurality of slots or openings l2 whichare positioned in staggered relation over the entire area of the sheetand flange. The slots are made sufficiently large to receive an ordinarytenpenny nail, but the invention is not to be limited to any particularsize of said slots.

In carrying out the invention in the construction of a column form, asshown in Figure 1, four sheets it are used. The sheets are positioned toform a square, the flange H of one sheet lying contiguous to the rearside of its adjacent sheet. It is noted that the slots 52 in the flangeof one sheet are. divergent from the slots in the adjacent sheet. Byarranging the slots in this manner, one ormore of. the, slots in'theflange will, at" allv times, be in registration with a similar number ofslotsin the adjacent sheet, no matter what position the sheets, are inrela tion to each other. (Figure 6.) t is obvious that the size of theform can easily be enlarged or reduced by merely sliding each sheetoutwardly or inwardly along its adjacent sheet.

If desired, thev slots. l2 may be closed or filled up with lead, putty,or any similar substance, whereby a smooth surface is had. The slotswhich are in registration when the sheets are in an adjusted position,may be easily punched out. After the form has been used the slots soopened may be refilled and the sheets are ready for use in constructinganother iorm. Any suitable means may be used for fastening the sheets inadjusted positions. However, I have shown a most simple and eliectiveway of securing the sheets together. As has been hereinbefore ex- 6Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in buildingconstruction forms.

ne object of the invention is to, provide an improved form which may beexpeditiously and molding concrete beams, girders, slabs, walls, and thelike.

A particular object of the invention is to providea molding formincluding a plurality of sheets arranged with divergent slots, wherebythey may be adjusted in different directions and easily fastened inadjusted positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form sheet made of metaland having a plumaterial, which may be knocked out when it is desired touse one or more Ofsaid openings.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple fasteningmeans for preventing buckling of the sheets and forholding them inposition against the sides of a column, beam or other construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fasteningdevice for securing the sheets together and also for fastening them inplace. I

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The-invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein: I I

Figure 1 is an isometrical View of a form constructed in accordance withthe invention,

Figure 2 is a detail showing one of the joints and the fastening meanstherefor,

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the same,

Figure 4 is a detail in perspective showing One of the cornerconnections,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view showing a slab and beam form,

Figure 6 is a detail showing two of the sheets adjusted in offsetrelation,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the clamps,

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of the same,

Figure 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 ofFigure 7,

Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line Ill-iiiof Figure 7, and

ister with slots in the adjacent sheet. An ordinary nail l3 (Figure 3)is passed through the slot [2 in the flange and through the slot in thesheet, the end of the nail extending outwardly from. the form. The slotsare of such size as to prevent the head of the nail'irom passingtherethrough. A clamp 14 is locked on the outer end of the nail andbears against the outer face of Figure 11 is a view of the wedge whichis used e Sheet tosecure y hold Said- Sheet and the in connection withthe clamp; V flange of the sheet together. If desired, a wedge In thedrawings the numeral It designates a 15 maybe drivenbetween the inneredge of the plained, two or more slots in each flange ll regclamp andthe sheet to assure a tighter fit between the sheets. 7

The clamp M, as clearly shown in Figures 7 to 10, includes a squarehousing or sleeve it. A wedge-shaped dog it having teeth l! on its upperedge is provided with trunnions 58 on each side thereof, and thesetrunnions are mounted in vertical slots I9 in each side of the housing,whereby the dog E6 is only capable of vertical movement. A drift plunger25 is positioned beneath the dog and trunnions H on each side thereofride in horizontal slots 22 in the sides of the housing. It is seen thatthe plunger is limited to a horizontal movement. 7

As the drift plunger is slid inwardly, it will ride beneath thewedge-shaped dog IS and due to the shape of both the dog and theplunger, the dog will be raised and the teeth II on the upper edge ofsaid dog will grip the endof the ing at the rear portion thereof.

"its locked position, to release the same. .It'is obvious that the clampis easily and quickly at.- tached o-r detached and is most effective inclamping the sheets together.

By using the metal sheets together with a quick and easy fastening,means, the time, trouble and expense of buiiding the usual wood formsare eliminated. The sheets can be made in standard sizes, and due to thedivergent slots in said sheets, it is possible to adjust the sheets inany vertical or horizontal position in relation to each other, therebypermitting any form necessary in building construction to beconstructed.

In using the metal sheets ill in the building of forms, it is necessarythat a suitable bracing or reinforcing means be provided, as the sheetsare comparatively thin, their resiliency causing a bending 'or bucklingat their center portions;

Referring again to Figure 1, in the construction of a column form,transverse tie rods 25 are provided and each rod has a flattened portionor. lug 2t positioned near each end. The rods are passed through one ofthe slots [2 about midway of each sheet and after both lugs are withinthe form, the rods are turned so that the lugs are substantially atright angles to the slots. With this arrangement, it is impossible towithdraw the rods from the sheets without first alining the lugs withthe slots therein. The outer ends of the rods extend outside of the formand vertical channel bars 2'! are positioned so that the outer end ofeach rod passes therethrough. The clamps M are then locked in positionon the ends of the rods, and these clamps bear against the channel bars27. t is readily seen that the lugs 26 prevent inward displacement ofthe sheets and the clamps i i, together with the channel bars, preventany cuter displacement thereof. The channel bars also serve to reinforcethe form vertically and help to give it rigidity.

. Although I have illustrated and described the sheets as used inconstructing a column form, it is to be clearly understood thattheinvention is not to be limited to this particular use. The flange itmay be eliminated and the sheet could be merely a flat piece of metal.In fact, it has been found that it is necessary in constructing someforms that the sheets be without the flange.

supported by said flange.

In Figure 5, I have shown the construction of one form wherein the flatsheets are used.

The sheets l0, having the flange II, are suitably supported on a jack,blocks, etc., and constitute the form for a cross beam of a room. The

sheets are bracedby the rods 25 and the bottom of the form may besupported on the rods so that it is adjustable, whereby the form may beof any desired height. This beam ties into the vertical columns of theroom. The flange ll projects outwardly from the form and the ends offlat sheets 16 (without the flange) overlie and are The sheets It) maybe secured to the flange by the clamps I4. Any

number of flat sheets l9 may be used, depending upon the length or widthof the room, and the.

end of one sheet overlies the end of its adjacent sheet. The sheets arefastened together by the clamps UL. Any suitable means (not shown) maybe used for. reinforcing the. sheets. Thus, it is seen that a form isconstructedfor molding a cross beam and the floor of a room.,

It is obvious that by using the flat sheets together with the sheetsI0,it is possible to construct any necessary form. Inconstructing a.form for molding a concrete foundation wall, only flat sheets It! wouldbe used. .The sheets would be secured together, as shown in Figure 5,and the entire form could be braced by horizontally extending channelswhich'are held in place by the rods 25 and clamps 14. It, is believedunnecessary to explain in detail the forms that can be constructed byemployingthe sheets, but it is obvious that the sheets can be adjustedquickly and easily to any desired size. Also, the sheets being made ofmetal can be used indefinitely, whereas the usualwood form can be usedonly four or five times.

The description which has been given recites more or less detail of aparticular embodiment of the invention, which is set forth as new anduseful, however, I desire it-understood that the invention is notlimited to such exact details-of construction, because it is manifestthat changes and modifications may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, without departingfrom plurality of sheets havingelongated openings,

the openings of. one sheet diverging from the openings of the othersheet, and means engaging said sheets through said openings forfastening said sheets to eachother whereby said sheets may be adjustedboth vertically and laterally of each other. 7

2. As a sub-combination, a molding form sheet having a plurality ofspaced openings filled with a softer material to provide a smooth,unbroken surface and adapted to be knocked out to receive a fastening.

3. A mold for plastic structures comprising, a plurality of'sheetshaving elongated openings, the openings of one sheet diverging from theopenings of the other sheet, each sheet having a vertical flange at oneend thereof, and means engaging said sheetsand flanges through saidslots for fastening the sheets in position.

7 l. A mold for plastic structures comprising, a plurality of sheetshaving registering openings therein arranged so that said sheets may beoffset Vertically and laterally from each other and the openings remainin registration in any position, a headed member engaging the sheetsthrough theslots, and a clamp on the outer end of said member wherebythe sheets are held in their offset positions.

5. A mold for plastic structures comprising, a plurality of sheetshaving elongated openings therein, the openings of one sheet divergingfrom the openings of the other sheet, means engaging said sheets throughsaid openings for fastening the sheets to each other, whereby saidsheets may be adjusted both vertically and laterally of each other, andmeans also engaging the slots for preventing inward and outwarddisplacement of the sheets.

6. A mold for plastic structures comprising, a. plurality of sheetshaving elongated registering openings therein, the openings of one sheethaving their longitudinal axes disposed divergently to the longitudinalaxes of the openings of the other sheet, whereby said sheets may beoffset vertically and laterally with relation to each other and theregistration of the openings maintained, means engaging said sheetsthrough said openings to fasten said sheets in their offset positions,and means for bracing the sheets mid-Way thereof.

CLARENCE W. WADDELL.

